As the clock struck 12:01 p.m. ET on Monday, the Milwaukee Bucks' blockbuster trade to send superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat became official. After 13 seasons in Milwaukee, the two-time MVP was dealt to Miami for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, draft rights to Nate Ament, two future first round picks, a first round pick swap, and a second round pick.
Selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Giannis Antetokounmpo developed from a raw, 18-year-old prospect from Athens, Greece, into a 10-time All-Star and the greatest player in the history of the Milwaukee Bucks’ organization.
© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
During his legendary run in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo won back-to-back NBA MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year Award, and was named All-NBA nine times. However, none of these accolades bear the immense weight of Giannis’s 2021 playoff run, where he led the Bucks to their first championship since 1971 by scoring 50 points in game six against the Phoenix Suns, capturing one of the most defining Finals MVP awards in the history of the NBA.
After a 2025-2026 NBA season in which Giannis only appeared in 36 games and the club failed to qualify for the postseason, his time in Milwaukee has come to an end. He departs the Bucks organization as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, points, rebounds, assists, and blocks.
Shortly after trade became official Monday afternoon, Giannis posted a heartfelt tribute video to his Instagram and X. Giannis shared his admiration for the people of Milwaukee, saying, “I hope that I was able to represent them the best that I could, and I was like them. I showed up to work, did everything that I was willing to do, all the dirty work, just like them.”
During his time in Milwaukee, Giannis transformed the Bucks into one of the league’s premier organizations, having made the playoffs in 10 of his 13 seasons after qualifying only four times over the previous decade.
The tribute quickly resonated with fans, as they flooded the comment section with reactions to his emotional farewell, with one user saying, “You said it right! Milwaukee will always be your home! We love you big dawg,” and another thanking him for “the thrills of the championship run, disappointing to see you go, but thank you for the years here.”
As he embarks on a new chapter in Miami, the overwhelming support he received from Bucks fans serves as a reminder of the bond he created with the city. While saying goodbye to a franchise legend will be a challenge for many, Bucks fans have no shortage of Giannis memories to cherish. From the thunderous dunks and game-saving blocks, to an unforgettable summer of 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered on a promise that generations of Bucks fans had waited a lifetime to witness.
